« Prev Page 4 of 19 2 3 4 5 6 Next » 457 replies to this topic

[jts-khorat]

denny59, on 2007-12-13 06:50:09, said:

What is all the complaining about..
Have a coke, juice or some other drink
and enjoy yourself..

This is not just about exapts getting drunk. This is about closing entertainment venues in major tourist centres in the busiest time of the year without much prior warning for 20% of the month.
Taking away 20% of the income that has to feed the families of the owners -- foreigner or Thai alike -- for much of the rest of the year seems to be a rather cruel thing. But then again, the Thais have never thought much through before, so why would they now (and nobody should come with the BS 'it is their country' when a quarter of their GDP is based on happy #returning# tourists!)...

In many cases it is also not the law itself that I find hard to take, but the thoughtless idiotic way of implementing it.
As a tourist in Patong you will not be able to find any official announcement anywhere that actually a good part of your holiday will happen without the bars you thought you were sitting in in the evenings. So much about the Thai government caring for poeple to come back.

And no, I do not own a bar or am in urgent need of a drink, so personally I would not have to care, but I chose to. A little bit thought for your fellow people would make ThaiVisa a much nicer place to be, but it is in rather shockingly short supply with a good number of participants here.
One often wonders why they actually come to Thailand when they bring nothing with them but the same stuffed-up bigotry they have left behind in Farang-land.

[Foggy Bottom]

pjallittle, on 2007-12-13 02:21:24, said:

When you read between the lines, this is obviously "much ado about nothing" in terms of genuine impact on tourists.  If Big Hotels are not likely to be affected, I seriously doubt that the average tourist will feel that their Thailand experience will have been significantly dampened.

Does the "average" tourist in Thailand really stay in big hotels?
In the North, the "average" uses small hotels & guest houses as there just isn't the availability of "big" hotels
And who owns and operates the "big" hotels?
Oh yeah - that's right - the "big" people

george, on 2007-12-13 03:57:06, said:

cclub75, on 2007-12-13 03:48:12, said:

If I do remember, in april 2006 for the general elections, we didn't have this system of "pre-election days".

There was no general elections in 2006.

Ermmm - April 2006?  The one-sided election?
Contributed to a world shaking event 5 months later during which there was no ban on alcohol sales (surprisingly).

[terrytan]

Well down here in Ban Chang, Rayong we are having our yearly Camel Pub Classic Golf Tournament this Saturday the 15th where we sponser our local Camillian Centre (HIV Hospice), usually we handover well in excess of 100,000 baht (by cheque) to assist them in the running of the Centre

Due to the fact the Pub cannot now sell alcohol we are having to move the prize giving and buffet to the Emerald Golf Course and due to the fact that some prizes will now have to come from fees charged for the day instead of being being supplied by The Camel and other bars on the strip (who all benefit from being decended upon by 120+ golfers) means that a much lower figure will now be handed over to the Camilian Centre

Who loses??
Confused but not suprised !!!!

[Hobox]

lioness, on 2007-12-13 05:47:28, said:

About Torrenova's comment " screwing with people's lives"

They are talking about a 2 weekend ban on alcohol, nothing stopping you stocking up the fridge beforehand.

This is a childish, immature outlook, god forbid you should ever have to face a serious issue.

In retrospect 2 weekends without alcohol might even save a few lives, road accidents, alcohol related abuse etc etc

Grow up.

You don't get it. How many millions of baht will NOT be spent during these weekends? This is what we mean when we say "messing with peoples lives"

I talked to the police in Patong and according to them only the 22nd and part of 23rd will be closed.

[JustinCredible]

lioness, on 2007-12-13 05:47:28, said:

About Torrenova's comment " screwing with people's lives"

They are talking about a 2 weekend ban on alcohol, nothing stopping you stocking up the fridge beforehand.

This is a childish, immature outlook, god forbid you should ever have to face a serious issue.

In retrospect 2 weekends without alcohol might even save a few lives, road accidents, alcohol related abuse etc etc

Grow up.

I couldn't agree more!!!

It might also stop a lot of the "drunken utterings" that we have to put up with on this forum every day!!........

[qwertyuiop]

Arkady, on 2007-12-13 01:47:42, said:

pointofview, on 2007-12-13 01:20:53, said:

Unsuspecting visiting tourists will be surely amaized!  Thing is a lot of countrys have elections but dont ban alcohol.  This will be a right pain for people on their 2 week vacations -  especially if they catch both ends.

This is really over the top.  One dry day on the main election day can arguably be tolerated and might even prevent a few drunked bums from going out and shooting a poling station but this really messes up tourists and owners of pubs and restaurants.

As if they care

[LeungKen]

Liverpool play Manchester Utd on the 16th at about 8:30, one of the biggest games on the E.P.L. calender.
As gambling is not allowed in Thailand are we to believe that no bets will be placed on a football match this coming weekend.
I shall be in my local in northern Phuket (which I'mm 99% sure will be open, one can never tell if a Tsunami is due. I would also suggest you stick a few hundred Baht on Man Utd to win 2 - 1)...........

[MickyP]

Believe this "no booze days" requirement is going to be strictly enforced - and may well extend to private gatherings - so keep the party noise down for fear of a visit from the boys in brown

[Smithson]

Fascinating thread. This is an annoying inconvenience for me, but will impact the livelihoods of many.There's a heap of better  things the govt could do to prevent election corruption and alcohol abuse.

On the other hand, every time someone is caught selling drugs the 'hang 'em high' brigade are out in force. Yet when the government stops the sale of a legal drug for a few days the outcry is incredible.

[koheesti]

Pundi64, on 2007-12-13 04:06:25, said:

I don't drink so no big deal, but i guess for the boozers in the forum, they are about to cut their throats -

Not everyone who dirinks is a "boozer" binge drinker. Sure, I am as are most people I know but I've heard rumours that there are some people who enjoy a glass of wine or two with dinner or a beer or two during football or even relax with a nice scotch.

I seriously doubt tourists will be bothered by this. But just in case, someone should look into buying in bulk then reselling to dry tourists on the beach. Just follow behind the Thai guy asking if they want to by drugs.

[nolan15]

rennie45, on 2007-12-13 01:15:49, said:

So it's off to Tesco tomorrow evening to stock up...

You got it in one. Tourists are going to love this. Amazing Thailand indeed, "visit us once to watch us shoot ourselves in the feet". How many will come back for a second dose???

[JetsetBkk]

Paul123456, on 2007-12-13 08:11:52, said:

WOW!!  So many negative comments.

Do people need their alcohol that much??  Maybe they should see a Dr or something, if they can't miss a couple of weekends of alcohol.

OH NO - it will affect tourists - PANIC PANIC!!!  Ha ha - who cares.

It is (near) Xmas - who cares.

It may stop vote buying, violence and other problems with the election - YES, please ban the crap.  If it will be best for Thailand, go for it.

I agree. I couldn't care less about an alcohol ban. Reading some of these posts you'd think Thailand was only here for tourists and expats.

[pattaya_girl]

I am off to the supermarket to stock up now and no doubt Jomtien Beach will be very busy with people having parties like last time. A lot of people from Bangkok pack there pick ups with picnics and party at Jomtien.  its great, and lasts all night long.

[Hawkup2000]

Maybe it is not just about the alcohol. For exemple I have some friends flying in to bkk and spending the weekend here before they head off to Phuket. The plan was to go to some clubs. So far all the clubs I have called are closed this weekend. I will give V9 and 87 (hotelbars) a call and see if they will be open.

[nongfrank]

george, on 2007-12-12 18:04:22, said:

Thai election forces 2-weekend booze ban
no_alcohol.jpg

BANGKOK: -- No alcohol will be served to expats, tourists or local residents in bars and restaurants over the next two weekends nationwide due to the oncoming election.

The first dry days will be 14, 15 and 16 December, pre-election days for a few million Thais who registered to vote early.

Thaivisa has been informed that no alcohol is allowed to be served nationwide between Friday 14th at 6pm until Sunday 16th at midnight.

Elections on the 23rd will mean no alcohol will be sold from 6pm on the 22nd till midnight on the 23rd of December.

Practically this means two or three dry days in the two weekends ahead, although some tourist areas tend to be lenient once it's past 7pm on election day.

Please be aware that local rules could apply. Big hotels are not likely to be affected.

--thaivisa.com 2007-12-13

Wher you get the news from and is it possible to find a n outprint about the banned days in Thai because my customers call me very simple a liar.
Thanks

[sonnyJ]

MickyP, on 2007-12-13 10:05:41, said:

Believe this "no booze days" requirement is going to be strictly enforced - and may well extend to private gatherings - so keep the party noise down for fear of a visit from the boys in brown

So extending to private parties/gatherings, maybe? I hope the nice government guys would tell us was it more than 2 or 3 people not allowed to gather...? This starts to sound good. Especially on pre-election days. Will they crack down on 5 person in bangkok sharing a studio?

[koheesti]

jbowman1993, on 2007-12-13 07:53:43, said:

The main reason for this law is simple. The authorities try to prevent Thai people from going to "Vote buying parties" where the organizers will woo them with booze, try to convince them to vote a certain way, and then send them off to do it.

How does that explain why resident expats and tourists can't drink either?

[pattaya_girl]

My Thai partner works very long hours all week and looks forward to his Week-End to relax and have a few Beers so the next 2 week ends will not stop us, we will simply stock up, make a picnic, and head off somewhere to join everyone else that wont be beaten.  Maybe we will save a bob or two also. I am quite looking forward to it myself, although I think its a bit much being an Alcohol ban for two week ends - it should be in the daytime, say from 2am onwards, surely heavy drinkers would be sober enough to vote by then !!!!  I feel sorry for all of the bars also - and holidaymakers who have spent fortunes on there holiday of a lifetime in Amazing Thailand - lol. (certainly is amazing at times)

[Prakanong]

koheesti, on 2007-12-13 11:46:59, said:

jbowman1993, on 2007-12-13 07:53:43, said:

The main reason for this law is simple. The authorities try to prevent Thai people from going to "Vote buying parties" where the organizers will woo them with booze, try to convince them to vote a certain way, and then send them off to do it.

How does that explain why resident expats and tourists can't drink either?

Well maybe the police have better things to do on election days than check up on bar's to see who is drinking and who is not?

Easier for a blanket ban.

This weekend is a surprise to many but next weekend has been known for months now so caveat emptor

[Robbie Dye]

hyperdimension, on 2007-12-13 04:35:44, said:

It doesn't say that we are forbidden to consume alcohol. It only says no alcohol will be "served" or "sold".

This means it is okay to drink our own alcohol, and to drink it regardless of the location.

It's a bit like the time-of-day restriction on alcohol sales. You can't buy alcohol before 11am or between 2pm and 5pm, but you can consume it any time of the day.

If we had left bottles of whisky with our name on it at a bar or club that were purchased on a date prior to the 14th of December 2007, can we consume them?

Would any bars or clubs allow BYO?

Possible answer is for a bar to do a "bin" for a packet of fags but issue a beer instead! Saw this before. The whole thing is a farce

[JacknDanny]

Quote

This weekend is a surprise to many but next weekend has been known for months now so caveat emptor

The point is, there aint going to be any buyers or sellers

[jts-khorat]

nongfrank, on 2007-12-13 10:37:18, said:

Wher you get the news from and is it possible to find a n outprint about the banned days in Thai because my customers call me very simple a liar.

As so often in this country, the left hand does not know what the right hand does or even care if regulations are completely incompatible or unenforcable.

As written, 'local' rules might apply, so you will have to ask your local police. They might not know until the last minute before, so don't hold your breath to get a useful answer there either...

[flyfrog]

What do we have to do with the Thai election, not one expat nor tourist goes to an election. Again one of those rules from a desk nerd who never goes out and enjoys live. How about the restaurants, can they sell alcohol with the meals?

[Tolley]

There will be thousands of tourists who have paid big money to come to Thailand over this period.

The ban on alcohol for two weekends will inconvenience the plans of many of these tourists.

It really is a case of over kill with these bans.

I am glad i am not in Thailand on holidays over this period for while a day or two here and there through out the year is not a real inconvenience to ban alcohol over two of the busiest weekends in high tourist season is  a major dispappointment for most people who enjoy the night life of thailand.

[PattayaParent]

Tafia, on 2007-12-13 02:45:11, said:

There seems to be some criticism of how the Thais are unable to remain sober for the election and have to have this order imposed on them.
It seems from some posts that some expats are unable to manage a few days without drink as well as those they criticise.
I doubt whether this will have much impact on tourists other than those on 'boozy' trips who are hel_l bent on getting pissed at every given opportunity.
A few days sobriety wont do anyone much harm!

I think the point is that the ruling is pointless. The Thais will just buy a couple of bottles of Lao Khaow or Sangthip and get drunk anyway. So the aim has not been acheived.

The only people that are inconvenienced are the tourists / Farangs that live here who go out to bars and they can just buy booze to drink at home too anyway.

The only people then that really suffer are the bar owners who's income is affected.